COLUMBUS - University of Cincinnati junior guard Cashmere Wright and assistant coach Darren Savino represented the Bearcats Tuesday at a reception at Governor John Kasich's residence to honor the successes of numerous Ohio collegiate basketball programs at recent postseason tournaments.

Schools honored at the event along with Cincinnati included the men's teams from Ohio University, Ohio State, Xavier, Wittenburg University and the College of Wooster as well as the women's teams from Ashland University and University of Mount Union.

UC compiled a 26-11 record during the 2011-12 season, beating a school-record eight ranked teams while advancing to the BIG EAST Championship title game and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. The Bearcats' regional semifinal appearance was their first since 2001.

This past basketball season Ohio made NCAA tournament history when it became the first state to advance four teams to the Sweet 16, sending UC, Ohio, Ohio State and Xavier.

"Placing four Ohio teams into the Sweet 16 was amazing and the success of the smaller division schools was special as well," Kasich told the group. "You helped spark the state and 11 million Ohioans are proud of you."

Wright met Kasich, received a certificate of recognition and toured the residence. Wright later teamed with Ohio State guard Aaron Craft to defeat the governor and CBS Sports commentator Clark Kellogg in a best-of-three games competition of H-O-R-S-E.

"(Today's visit) is an accomplishment of sorts," Wright said. "Not many people get to experience what I did today. I am very blessed to have the opportunity."

"It was a great experience," Savino said. "The governor was a gracious host. He showed us he's been working on his jump shot. It was my first time to visit the governor's residence which made it special for me and I'm sure for Cashmere as well."